Gentlemen,

I have a 1979 351M on an engine stand in my garage that I intend to rebuild from scratch. But it'll be a couple of years before I can get around to it, so I want to crate it. It has to be on casters so I can move it around.

So, the plan is to start with a pallet, mount it on casters, a sheet of plywood on top, then a tire. With an engine hoist, take the engine off the stand and sit the bottom of the oil pan in the hole of the tire, then block it up, then build a box over it. Not bad home-made solution.

BUT, before I do that, I'd thought I'd check to see if anyone has any other proven solutions.

 

Sounds like a good idea, but I'd rather bolt the engine to the crate somehow vs setting in on a tire. I'd be concerned it would shift while moving and cause it to overturn or mash some fingers. I'd also be concerned that the weight of the engine sitting on the pan would bend/distort the pan where it might choke off the oil pick up tube. Maybe tie it in using the bellhousing, or engine mount holes. Post some pictures when your done, it sounds like a nice inexpensive project.

 

Just buy another engine stand and leave it bolted to that. After you are done working on it for whatever, just run fog it with a light oil and then wrap it in plastic wrap (shrinky wrap stuff) really good to completely seal it. Voila...you can build an engine at your own pace over hte course of years going this route.

 

make mounts out of 2x4's to boltto pallet

 

You can get an engine cradle with casters for $50 or less. They are an angle iron frame that supports the engine at the base of the block and would take less room than a pallet on wheels with a deck and a tire. Ask at your parts house, or a local engine rebuilder.

 

An engine cradle! Never heard of that. Will look that up. Thanks.

 

I build my cradles out of 1 inch square tubing. I usually remove the carb and exhaust then duct tape the openings so no unwanted critters crawl inside.

 

I just take everything off the back of the block, set it on the pallet on it's rear end, and use nylon webbing to strap it down. Fold the webbing back and forth a few times, and screw it down to the pallet. Wrap it up with shrink wrap or cardboard, and you'll be good to go.

 

This is a good one! Simplicity rules.

 

Every once and a while there are engine cradles on ebay, which will give you an idea if you want to make one. I like to use a "modified" grocery cart.

 

27 bucks https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/c...roducts_id=120

 

Maybe it is just me but i can't get jake00's link to work I was a heavy packer for military aviation parts I would think use the old engine mounts suspend above pallet w/ 2x4's and box enclosure that is what we used for f condition material (eventual rebuild) coat the engine with grade 4 ehhh thicker than wd-40 wrap with plastic and obtain dessicant (moisture eater packets in food that say don't eat but bigger) and you could store for around 6-8 years. You could probably get dessicant from drmo at a military base near you.

 

try that, or delete the https

 

much better jake